Evans Vista Housing Development Master Plan

March 2024 Update!

• City Council approved the Evans Vista Master Plan during the November 20, 2023 meeting.
• In early 2024, the Master Plan architect team, Thomas Architecture Studio, submitted a preliminary plat application to subdivide the property so that tracts can be sold to either one or multiple developers to build housing. The plat will identify phases for development.
• The City’s planning team is currently reviewing the preliminary plat application. The preliminary plat will be subject to a public hearing and hearing examiner decision.
• PCD Director Evans Vista Presentation to Jefferson County Home Builder’s Association and Jefferson County Chamber State of Housing: March 2024
• The City will be hiring staff support to obtain additional infrastructure funding
• The City will then develop an RFP to obtain developer response/interest to the plan
• The City is in the process of executing a grant agreement with Department of Commerce to help build the sewer lift station serving Evans Vista.
• Design and construction of the lift station in 2024 and 2025.

Purpose
Like in other areas of Washington State and the nation, the lack of local affordable housing supply has devastating ripple effects on families, critical services, our education system, and our local economy. Rapidly rising house prices have driven out individuals and families who have long lived and worked in Port Townsend. Housing is one of five focus areas in the City’s Strategic Plan, calling on the City to, “establish systems to support diverse housing options with perpetual affordability.”

The City of Port Townsend has acquired 14-acres at Evans Vista to support development of a new neighborhood. Before acquisition, the City performed initial outreach to housing providers and other housing advocates to gauge interest in the property for a range of housing types and affordability. Subsequently, the City performed due diligence to determine zoning and infrastructure requirements and completed a cultural resources survey (no significant findings).

The City has obtained financial assistance for planning and development of the property. $3.1 million from the Washington State Legislature supported land acquisition and will assist with required infrastructure for development. Jefferson County has awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the City which will assist in the master planning and entitlement of the project. These ARPA funds will be used to pay for services to the firm(s) selected through this RFQ process.

Evans Vista is just south of the Rainier Street roundabout on Sims Way. The property is located inside the Rainier and Upper Sims Way Subarea and is supported by the accompanying plan adopted by City Council in 2019. The development of a mix of 100-150 housing units, at a minimum, is meant to deliver urgently-needed supply and to support affordability needs currently lacking in Port Townsend and to activate the Evans Vista neighborhood as part of the area’s emerging commercial and business environment.

Background/Vision:

Diverse, quality, affordable and stable housing in Port Townsend is a critical underpinning success factor for our strong local economy, local sustainability and resilience, and our collective social well-being and quality of life.  Housing is paramount to an equitable, healthy and inclusive community, and getting it right helps sustain and strengthen Port Townsend’s unique identity with strong historical roots and a creative and intentional approach to the future. ​
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The Evans Vista Neighborhood can be a true forerunner in that vision, while harmonizing with the existing vision described in the Rainier Subarea Plan and helping to catalyze momentum at a regional scale. ​

Evans Vista aims to be a place where people live, work and play – a home for young families who can walk or ride to school or individuals who can walk to local employment in the Rainier Subarea, the Port or the Hospital; a destination for those seeking a coffee with friends, services, or childcare; and a community asset that nests into the existing trail and parks network for all to enjoy and be proud of. 

Read Planning and Community Development Director, Emma Bolin's, Google Review from the Future: Evans Vista 2030.

• January 2021– The City of Port Townsend submitted our 2021 legislative agenda to our Washington State delegation.  The agenda included a request for funding for infrastructure and land to support affordable housing.​
• June 2021 – The City was notified of receipt of two grants for housing and infrastructure to support housing. These grants total approximately $3.1 million and are largely are result of our State delegation’s efforts. A special thanks to Representative Tharinger. ​
• August 2021 – The City entered into a purchase and sale contract for the purchase of property at the end of Evans Vista Street.  ​
• September 1, 2021 – City staff provided the City Council Infrastructure and Development Council Committee an overview of the property.​
• October & November 2021 – City staff performed outreach to the Housing Solutions Network and to housing providers to gauge interest in the property for a range of housing types and affordability.​
• October & November 2021 – City staff performed due diligence to determine zoning and infrastructure requirements for property.
• November 1, 2021 – The PT City Council authorized a cultural resources survey to be completed for the subject property.
• December 1, 2021  – Grant agreement completed and cultural resources survey initial findings were provided by our consultant.
• March 2022 – Applied for $2.5m in support from Congressman Kilmer’s congressionally-directed spending fund community process (also applied in 2021)
• May/June 2022 – Rep. Kilmer’s panel ranks Evans Vista top of list for his support through Appropriations Committee
• July 2022 – House Appropriations Committee and House supported the spending; signing by President Biden expected
• August 2022 – Jefferson County commits ARPA funding to Evans Vista Master Plan

Relevant Documents

• Evans Vista Master Plan Consultant Selection Agenda Bill
• Briefing to Board of Jefferson County Commissioners: Affordable & Workforce Housing in Jefferson County: Delivering the Evans Vista Neighborhood.  
• RFQ: Questions and Answers
• Request for Qualifications: Evans Vista Housing Development
• Evans Vista Neighborhood Port Townsend Public Outreach/Planning Commission Meeting
• Evans Vista Survey Results
• Evans Vista Design Options
• Press Release
• Evans Vista Public Outreach Survey Results
• Evans Vista Financial Discussion
• Evans Vista Preferred design option Presentation

• Evans Vista Financial Pro Forma 10.9.2023 Presentation

• November 20th 2023 City Council Final Design and pro forma presentation

Community Engagement
The City will begin public engagement with those who are currently camping on the site to connect them with safe housing opportunities in our area and seek input to co-develop a vision for the mixed-income housing to be built at this site one day. Learn more about the April 17^th outreach event here. 

Click Here to view the Press Release

Click Here to watch the housing video.